Forage harvester with a conditioning unit movable between an operating position and a non-operating position

Abstract

A self-propelled forage harvester is provided having a frame, a chopping drum, an accelerator arranged downstream of the chopping drum and a channel between the chopping drum and the accelerator. The channel has a section in which a conditioning unit or a hollow shell can be selectively inserted. The conditioning unit and the hollow shell are jointly supported on a pivot arm pivotable by way of a displacement drive about a pivot axis running horizontally and transverse to the forward direction. The conditioning unit is mounted on the pivot arm rotatably about an axis parallel to the pivot axis. The conditioning unit cooperates with the frame by way of a positive guide, which has the effect that the conditioning unit rotates about the axis in the same direction as the pivot arm.

1. A self-propelled forage harvester having a frame, a chopping drum, an accelerator arranged downstream of the chopping drum, and a channel between the chopping drum and the accelerator, the channel having a section in which one of a conditioning unit and a hollow shell can be selectively inserted, wherein the conditioning unit and the hollow shell are jointly supported on a pivot arm pivotable by means of a displacement drive about a first pivot axis running horizontally and transverse to the forward direction, which arm is movable between an operating position of the conditioning unit, in which the conditioning unit is in the section, and a non-operating position of the conditioning unit, in which the shell is in the section, wherein the conditioning unit is mounted on the pivot arm rotatably about a second axis parallel to the first pivot axis and wherein the conditioning unit cooperates with the frame by means of a positive guide, which has the effect that the conditioning unit rotates about the second axis in the same direction as the pivot arm rotates around the first pivot axis. 
     
     
       2. A self-propelled forage harvester according to  claim 1 , wherein the positive guide comprises a plate with a slot in which a driver engages. 
     
     
       3. A self-propelled forage harvester according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate is rigidly connected to the conditioning unit and wherein the driver is connected to the housing of the accelerator. 
     
     
       4. A self-propelled forage harvester according to  claim 1 , wherein the conditioning unit is detachably mounted in a holder that is seated rotatably on the shaft and coupled to the plate. 
     
     
       5. A self-propelled forage harvester according to  claim 4 , wherein the conditioning unit is displaceably seated on the holder. 
     
     
       6. A self-propelled forage harvester according to  claim 4 , wherein the conditioning unit is situated in its non-operating position behind the section and is equipped with one or more coupling points for a lifting device with which it can be lifted out. 
     
     
       7. A self-propelled forage harvester according to  claim 1 , wherein the pivot axis is arranged one of behind and above the axis of rotation of the accelerator. 
     
     
       8. A self-propelled forage harvester according to  claim 7 , wherein the conditioning unit is drivable via a belt that is motively connected to the drive shaft of the accelerator and wherein the belt is relaxed when the conditioning unit is brought into the non-operating position, and is tensioned when the conditioning unit is brought into the operating position. 
     
     
       9. A self-propelled forage harvester according to  claim 1 , wherein displacement can be accomplished by one of manually and by external force. 
     
     
       10. A self-propelled forage harvester according to  claim 9 , wherein the displacement drive comprises a spindle that cooperates via a lever mechanism with the pivot arm.